incontinence
noun
in·con·ti·nence
(ˌ)in-ˈkän-tə-nən(t)s 
: the quality or state of being incontinent
We may reasonably trust … that public sobriety will reassert itself over the political and intellectual incontinence that currently commands the headlines.—
Woody West
: such as
Woody West
a
: inability of the body to control the evacuative functions of urination or defecation : partial or complete loss of bladder or bowel control
fecal incontinence
urinary incontinence
see also stress incontinence, urge incontinence
b
: failure to restrain sexual appetite
It is true that the religion of the missionaries has … effected some good. It has restrained the vices of theft and incontinence.—Herman Melville
Herman MelvilleExamples of incontinence in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Besides the pain, discomfort and fatigue from the surgery and general anesthesia, you are typically left with urinary leakage and incontinence and erectile dysfunction for at least a while.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
No sales tax on some hygiene products HB 594 ends sales tax for diapers, incontinence supplies and period products.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2025
Other miscellaneous symptoms may occur, such as blood pressure complications, difficulty regulating body temperature, fainting, frequent falls, constipation, urinary incontinence and poor sense of smell.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025
During Season 3, Harry had been experiencing penile symptoms such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, which prompted him to go to the doctor, who diagnosed him with prostate cancer.
—Scarlett Harris, Time, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incontinence
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Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
No sales tax on some hygiene products HB 594 ends sales tax for diapers, incontinence supplies and period products.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2025
Other miscellaneous symptoms may occur, such as blood pressure complications, difficulty regulating body temperature, fainting, frequent falls, constipation, urinary incontinence and poor sense of smell.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2025
During Season 3, Harry had been experiencing penile symptoms such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence, which prompted him to go to the doctor, who diagnosed him with prostate cancer.
—Scarlett Harris, Time, 13 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incontinence
Cite this Entry
“Incontinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incontinence. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incontinence
noun
in·con·ti·nence
(ˈ)in-ˈkänt-ᵊn-ən(t)s
: the quality or state of being incontinent
Medical Definition
incontinence
noun
in·con·ti·nence
(ˈ)in-ˈkänt-ᵊn-ən(t)s
1
: inability or failure to restrain sexual appetite
2
: inability of the body to control the evacuative functions
fecal incontinence
see stress incontinence, urge incontinence
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